Free resources to help you stand out at the Calgary Region Hackathon 2017

Are you participating in the Calgary Region Hackathon 2017 this November? Whether you’re a beginner or advanced developer, check out free Esri resources that can help you build amazing web mapping apps with open data.

With cash prizes, including 1st prize of $5,000, this is an event you wouldn’t want to miss.

This year’s theme, “Why the Calgary Region?”, helps emphasize the opportunities for recreation, industry and healthy communities in the region. Your team (of two to six people) has three days to create innovative mapping or software solutions, such as an app, map or a website, using Calgary Region Open Data.

Since most open data are geographic data, geographic information systems (GIS) make the most sense for you to use to build amazing mapping apps. ArcGIS Online, Esri’s cloud-based mapping platform, includes robust tools, capabilities and data to help you quickly create and host maps and apps in the cloud.

Why add maps to your apps?

Web maps are increasingly becoming popular because people everywhere are familiar with them. They have become standard apps on smartphones, tablets and cars. Web maps are also visual and interactive; they’re great for storytelling and engaging your target audience.

You can build anything on top of web maps and quickly make sense of open data. Governments and other organizations use them to deliver valuable self-services, including information on municipal services, garbage collection schedules, heritage sites, parks and recreation facilities and available land for development. They can also be used to crowdsource information, such as potholes or roads that need to be repaired, or public areas where lighting/security can be improved.

ArcGIS Online includes configurable app templates, such as the Crowdsource Reporter, which allows residents to report things such as excessive noise, potholes and vandalism. View the app showcase to get more ideas for your app.

How to build mapping apps

Building apps with ArcGIS Online is easy. Bookmark this Developer Resources page that walks you through the many free Esri tools and content for creating apps.

If you don’t have an ArcGIS account yet, sign up for an ArcGIS free trial account. This will allow you to take advantage of Esri’s cloud services when developing and hosting your apps while using the API of your choice. You can also include powerful functionality for data search, integration and analysis to your apps.

What’s more, you can deploy your apps on any device, further develop them, and promote and sell them in ArcGIS Marketplace after the competition.

Why not get a head start and practice building apps using ArcGIS? If you need more information, contact us by leaving a comment below.

And if you haven’t registered for the Calgary Region Hackathon 2017, act fast and sign up today. Space is limited to 200 participants only.

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